Minigun rotor

Abstract

An improved minigun rotor comprised of distinct components that can be removed from the rotor and subsequently replaced is provided. The improved rotor includes a tail having a shaft, where a plurality of bolt tracks is attached to one end of the shaft; a camming section including a first cam and a second cam mounted on a sleeve, where the sleeve is configured to be removably attached to the shaft; and a barrel cluster head including a plurality of barrel apertures, where the barrel cluster head is configured to be removably attached to the rotatable shaft and secured to an end of the shaft. The improved rotor allows for each of the components of the rotor to be replaced (rather than the entire rotor) if a catastrophic failure occurs or the components need to be repaired or replaced due to wear and tear.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rotor for a minigun, comprising:
 a tail comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein a plurality of tail bosses are arranged radially around the distal end of the shaft; 
 a plurality of bolt tracks, each bolt track attached to a tail boss, wherein two adjacent bolt tracks define a pathway; 
 a camming section mounted on a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to removably engage the shaft adjacent to the bolt tracks, the camming section further having a plurality of bosses arranged radially around the sleeve and corresponding to each of the plurality of bolt tracks; and 
 a barrel cluster head comprising a plurality of barrel apertures, wherein the barrel cluster head is configured to removably engage the shaft and secure to the proximal end of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       2. The rotor of  claim 1 , wherein the barrel cluster head further comprises an opening and a plate disposed therein configured for attachment to the proximal end of the shaft. 
     
     
       3. The rotor of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal end, the camming section sleeve, and the opening on the barrel cluster head each comprise a hexagonal cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
       4. The rotor of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal end of the shaft and the plate of the barrel cluster head each comprise complementary slots for insertion of a releasable fastener. 
     
     
       5. The rotor of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of tail bosses dividing the pathway wherein each bolt track is securable to and overlaps a plurality of the tail bosses. 
     
     
       6. The rotor of  claim 5 , wherein one of the plurality of tail bosses comprises a receiver, and a bolt track that comprises a clip is insertable into the receiver for securing the bolt track to one of the plurality of tail bosses. 
     
     
       7. A rotor for a minigun comprising:
 a tail having a plurality of bosses, at least one boss having an indentation for receiving a clip and a locking bolt hole; 
 a bolt track securable to the at least one boss and having an aperture passing through the bolt track and a clip insertable into the indentation; and 
 a spring-loaded locking bolt configured to pass through the aperture in the bolt track and be removably secured within the locking bolt hole.